Close humidity and temperature control method

Abstract

According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for controlling humidity and temperature are disclosed. The system includes temperature and humidity sensors, at least one unit configured to cool, heat, dehumidify, and humidify air, and a control module. The control module is configured to receive set point values for the temperature and humidity and to receive measured air and temperature values from the sensors. The control module then calculates differences between the measured values and the set point values to determine respective temperature and humidity error values. The control module controls the operation of the at least one unit based on a comparison between the temperature error value and the humidity error value.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A humidity and temperature control system comprising:
 a temperature sensor configured to measure an air temperature value; 
 a humidity sensor configured to measure an air humidity value; 
 at least one unit configured to cool, heat, dehumidify, and humidify air, the at least one unit including a variable speed compressor, a heater, and a humidifier; and 
 a control module in communication with the temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, the control module comprising:
 a first PID temperature controller configured to:
 receive a set point temperature value; 
 receive a measured air temperature value from the temperature sensor; 
 calculate a difference between the set point temperature value and the measured air temperature value to determine a temperature error value; and 
 
 a second PID humidity controller configured to:
 receive a set point humidity value; 
 receive a measured air humidity value from the humidity sensor; 
 calculate a difference between the set point humidity value and the measured humidity value to determine a humidity error value; and 
 
 wherein the temperature error value corresponds to a normalized temperature error value and the humidity error value corresponds to a normalized humidity error value and the control module is configured to; 
 determine which of the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is greater; 
 control operation of the humidifier if the normalized humidity error value is greater than the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is less than zero; 
 control operation of the compressor if the normalized humidity error value is greater than the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is greater than zero; 
 control operation of the compressor if the normalized temperature error value is greater than the normalized humidity error value and the normalized temperature error value is greater than zero; and 
 control operation of the heater if the normalized temperature error value is greater than the normalized humidity error value and the normalized temperature error value is less than zero. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The humidity and temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module controls operation of the compressor to minimize the normalized temperature error value or the normalized humidity error value. 
     
     
       3. The humidity and temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to operate the humidity and temperature control system to a measured air humidity value within ±3% of the set point humidity value. 
     
     
       4. The humidity and temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to operate the humidity and temperature control system to a measured air temperature value within ±1.1° C. of the set point temperature value. 
     
     
       5. The humidity and temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module controls operation of the compressor by adjusting the amount of power provided to the compressor. 
     
     
       6. The humidity and temperature control system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is configured to operate the compressor, the humidifier, and the heater in real time. 
     
     
       7. A method of controlling humidity and temperature comprising:
 receiving a set point temperature value and a set point humidity value; 
 measuring an air temperature value and an air humidity value; 
 calculating a difference between the set point temperature value and the measured air temperature value to determine a temperature error value, the temperature error value corresponding to a normalized temperature error value; 
 calculating a difference between the set point humidity value and the measured air humidity value to determine a humidity error value, the humidity error value corresponding to a normalized humidity error value; 
 comparing the normalized temperature error value to the normalized humidity error value to determine which of the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is greater; and 
 operating continuously at least one unit that includes a variable speed compressor, a heater, and a humidifier and is configured to cool, heat, dehumidify, and humidify air by:
 operating the humidifier if the normalized humidity error value is greater than the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is less than zero; 
 operating the compressor if the normalized humidity error value is greater than the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is greater than zero; 
 operating the compressor if the normalized temperature error value is greater than the normalized humidity error value and the normalized temperature error value is greater than zero; and 
 operating the heater if the normalized temperature error value is greater than the normalized humidity error value and the normalized temperature error value is less than zero. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the compressor is operated in a continuous mode, and to minimize the normalized humidity error value or the normalized temperature error value. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the air temperature value and the air humidity value are measured in real time. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising maintaining the measured air humidity value to be within ±3% of the set point humidity value. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising maintaining the measured air temperature value to be within ±1.1° C. of the set point temperature value. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising maintaining the measured air temperature air value and the measured air humidity value simultaneously. 
     
     
       13. A system for controlling temperature and humidity of a conditioned space, the system comprising:
 at least one unit that includes a variable speed compressor, a heater, and a humidifier and is configured to cool, heat, dehumidify, and humidify air; 
 at least one temperature sensor; 
 at least one humidity sensor; and 
 means for controlling the temperature and the humidity by; 
 calculating a difference between a set point temperature value and a temperature value received by the at least one temperature sensor to determine a temperature error value, the temperature error value corresponding to a normalized temperature error value; 
 calculating a difference between a set point humidity value and a humidity value received by the at least one humidity sensor to determine a humidity error value, the humidity error value corresponding to a normalized humidity error value; and 
 comparing the normalized temperature error value to the normalized humidity error value to determine which of the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is greater; 
 control operation of the humidifier if the normalized humidity error value is greater than the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is less than zero; 
 control operation of the compressor if the normalized humidity error value is greater than the normalized temperature error value and the normalized humidity error value is greater than zero; 
 control operation of the compressor if the normalized temperature error value is greater than the normalized humidity error value and the normalized temperature error value is greater than zero; and 
 control operation of the heater if the normalized temperature error value is greater than the normalized humidity error value and the normalized temperature error value is less than zero.